AIFF U-16 put up a brave fight

FRENZ UNITED MALAYSIA A – 1
AIFF KALYANI U-16 REGIONAL ACADEMY – 0

AIFF Academy boys were defeated 1-0 by Frenz United Malaysia A in the opening match of  Group A  of the Asian Championship Trophy. Striker Najib Abdullah scored the solitary goal for the host. Najib tapped in from close range after a brilliant cross evaded all on its way inside the 18-yard box.

AIFF XI took some time get the rhythm of the match after resisting some early pressure from the host.

Full-back Jerry Lalrinzuala’s frequent overlap kept the opponent back-line on tenterhooks and in the 40th minute, Jerry made a daring run at the heart of Frenz United’s defense to send Striker Nijwm Muchahary in the clear. Nijwm sidestepped the rival Goalkeeper but his placement flew over even as the yawning net waited.

AIFF XI’s another chance wasted in the 73^rd minute. Jerry switched it to the right flank and it fell to an unmarked Nuruddin just outside the box. The latter controlled it, entered the box, but even as he pulled the trigger, the rival Goalkeeper managed to get his fingers on the ball and the Malaysian defense cleared from the goal line.

As the Academy Academy boys kept up the pressure, it was Nuruddin again in the dying minutes of added time, this time sidestepping his marker to let loose a rasping right-footer from outside the box. But the diving Malaysian Goalkeeper managed to gather it on second attempt.

AIFF U-16 Boys next play Frenz United Indonesia at the Barasat Stadium on May 24, 2014.